16. Humans And Sins
Some people today believe that we must get rid of the guilt we create that weighs heavily on our minds and lives for no reason, and that is extremely harmful to a healthy life and human happiness.
They were wrong. Humans are not machines or robots. They have laws engraved in their conscience, intelligence to determine right from wrong and freedom to choose.
People are responsible for what they have done, and there are rewards and punishments as the consequences of their actions. That is the sense of sin. Sin is an undeniable reality in human life.
1. WHAT IS SIN?
- Definition:
Crime is violation of the law.
For Christians, sin is “an utterance, a deed, or a desire contrary to the eternal law” (CCC 1871). This law is engraved by God on the heart and conscience of each person.
People commit serious (mortal) sins when they know clearly that the law is of serious substance and still intentionally violate it. Serious material is identified in the ten commandments (CCC 1858). Mortal sin results in the loss of charity and the privation of sanctifying grace, that is, of the state of grace (CCC 1861).
One commits venial sin when, in a less serious matter, he does not observe the standard prescribed by the moral law, or when he disobeys the moral law in a grave matter, but without full knowledge or without complete consent (CCC 1862). Venial sin does not set us in direct opposition to the will and friendship of God; it does not break the covenant with God (CCC 1863).
- Types of deadly sins:
The holy fathers of the Church have concluded from experience the deadly sins, because from them arise other sins. These sins are pride, stinginess, lust, jealousy, anger, gluttony, and laziness.
In short, sin breaks the relationship between us and the Creator. His nature is extremely holy.
But it is fortunate for us humans that God is also love. He finds every way for us to be with Him. The following parable of the merciful father or the prodigal son shows us that relationship.
2. ANALYSIS OF THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON.
A man has two sons and the younger son said to his father, “Father, please give me the share that should come to me.” So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began.
Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
But the father said, “My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found” (Luke 15:11-32).
In the above parable, Jesus revealed to us:
– God is a very rich master, both literally and figuratively.
– God is a very generous father.
– God always respects our freedom.
– God loves His children very much.
– God is very happy because we regret, repent, and return.
– God wants us to participate in His divine life.
– People only satisfy immediate pleasures and abuse wealth that they do not make.
– Humans are willing to abandon the love they were born with to live selfishly.
– Only when people are in need, do they think about relationship and only to benefit themselves.
– People often talk about their merits and misfortunes and are jealous of each other.
Conclusion:
According to Christianity, sin is not simple because to sin is against the Creator. The younger son in the parable of the prodigal son confessed, “I have sinned against heaven and against you.” Indeed, the Creator has given humans a mind and understanding that animals do not have. He engraves the rules in every person’s heart, gives people freedom, the most precious thing.
Humans have used these preferential treatment to commit treason against their Creator. Who can save us in that situation, if not God himself, who saves out of love.
We now understand clearly what the evangelist John wrote in the gospel, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Or the evangelist Mark: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16).